A four-month-old baby has died in a devastating fire at a slum near Kissiman Junction, close to Achimota-Samodak in Accra.
The fire started early morning on Wednesday, February 5, destroying over 20 wooden structures, including the one that housed the baby’s family.
According to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), firefighters from the Legon and Abelemkpe Fire Stations responded swiftly; however, the four-month-old could not be saved.
They, however, prevented the fire from spreading to nearby buildings, including a warehouse.
“Firefighters are currently conducting overhauling operations to completely extinguish any remaining flames,” the Head of Public Relations at the GNFS, DO II Desmond E. Ackah, said.
Meanwhile, the charred remains of the infant have been handed over to the police while the GNFS investigates the cause of the fire.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire, which started in the morning of Sunday, January 12, 2025, quickly engulfed the family’s room before neighbours could intervene.
Efforts by the neighbours to rescue the baby were thwarted by the extreme intensity of the blaze.
The mother of the infant, who was inside the house at the time of the incident, reportedly passed out due to shock and smoke inhalation.